Repertorisation is an indispensable tool in homeopathic practice, allowing the homeopath to navigate the complex sea of remedies in the materia medica. For busy practitioners, however, the process of repertorisation can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when faced with an intricate case.
The challenge often lies in sifting through a multitude of symptoms to find the one that best represents the patient’s totality. In this article, I will present an approach that simplifies repertorisation without sacrificing precision—using just one complete symptom.
This method, rooted in Boenninghausen’s classical approach, is efficient and effective, making it especially valuable for practitioners in today’s fast-paced clinical settings.
By focusing on one “complete symptom,” we can streamline the repertorisation process and still prescribe with confidence and accuracy.
Boenninghausen’s Doctrine of Complete Symptom
Boenninghausen, one of the great pioneers of homeopathy, emphasized the importance of capturing the totality of a case through what he termed the “complete symptom.” According to Boenninghausen, each grand or complete symptom should consist of four essential elements:
- Location: Where the symptom is located in the body.
- Sensation: What the patient feels, or the quality of the symptom (e.g., burning, throbbing, pressure).
- Modalities: Factors that modify the symptom, such as what makes it better or worse (e.g., time of day, movement, temperature).
- Concomitants: Symptoms that occur alongside the main complaint but are not directly related to it.
This method stood in contrast to other repertorisation strategies, such as those of Kent and Boger, which sometimes focused more on mental or constitutional aspects. Boenninghausen’s approach offered a clear and concise path to finding the simillimum by relying on these four essential elements, and his Therapeutic Pocket Book became a fundamental tool in homeopathy.
Repertorisation with One Complete Symptom: A Practical Guide
The concept of repertorising based on one complete symptom revolves around finding a symptom in the case that fully incorporates these four elements. Instead of using a wide range of rubrics or attempting to repertorise every symptom in the case, the homeopath chooses one characteristic symptom that includes the location, sensation, modalities, and, if possible, a concomitant.
For example, if a patient presents with a sharp pain in the abdomen that worsens with movement and is accompanied by irritability, this single symptom, though simple, encapsulates enough information to allow for repertorisation.
The key to success in this method is choosing the right symptom—one that is distinctive, well-defined, and representative of the patient’s condition. This approach not only saves time but also avoids the risk of over-complicating the analysis by incorporating too many rubrics.
Case Study
Let me illustrate this method with a case from my practice. Mrs. B., a 34-year-old woman, presented with pressing abdominal pain and irritability for several days. She also reported shifting pains in her knee and ankle joints, which worsened with motion.
After careful case-taking, I identified the following symptoms:
- Symptom 1: Abdomen pain, pressing sensation, accompanied by irritability
- Symptom 2: Joint pain, aggravated by motion.
| Location | Sensation | Modality | Concomitant | |
| 1. | Abdomen | Pain | – | Irritability |
| 2. | Joints | Pain | < motion | – |
To repertorise, I used Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book. The following three scenarios are possible to repertorise this case:
Scenario 1:
Completing the first symptom considering modality from other location (analogy – completing a missing attribute)
| Location | Sensation | Modality | Concomitant | |
| 1. | Abdomen | Pain | < motion | Irritability |
Scenario 2: Completing the second symptom considering concomitant associated with the first symptom (generalisation – using a general concomitant)
| Location | Sensation | Modality | Concomitant | |
| 2. | Joints | Pain | < motion | ( Irritability ) |
Scenario 3: Taking all fragments of symptoms to repertorize
Repertorisation Analysis
Scenario 1
Nux-v 16/4, Phos 12/4, Puls 12/4, Aco 11/4, Bell 11/4, Bry 11/4, Calc 11/4, Sep 11/4
Scenario 2
Puls 13/4, Bell 12/4, Sulph 10/4, Arn 9/4, Ars 8/4, Chin 8/4
Scenario 3
Puls 20/6, Sulph 17/6, Sep 16/6, Bell 16/6, Ars 13/6, Chin 13/6, Arn 12/6
In this analysis, it is noticed that nearly similar groups of medicines come up in all these subsets, and knowing the constitution of the patient, Pulsatilla 200 was selected and prescribed.
Follow-Up
Two days later, the patient reported significant improvement in her abdominal pain and mood. A week later, her joint pains had also subsided, confirming that Pulsatilla was the correct remedy. This case underscores how one complete symptom can lead directly to the simillimum.
Application in Modern Practice
In today’s clinical practice, the ability to repertorise quickly and accurately is more important than ever. While it is tempting to repertorise all the symptoms in a case, this can often lead to confusion or a scattered analysis. Instead, focusing on one complete symptom not only saves time but also enhances accuracy.
With the advent of homeopathic software such as RADAR, MacRepertory, and HOMPATH, the process of repertorisation has become faster. However, the principle remains the same—if we can identify the right complete symptom, whether through software or manual repertorisation, we can streamline our decision-making process.
Advantages of Using One Complete Symptom
There are several clear advantages to using one complete symptom in repertorisation:
– Time Efficiency: Especially in busy clinics, this method significantly reduces the time spent on case analysis.
– Simplicity and Clarity: It prevents over-complication and ensures that the focus remains on the most important aspects of the case.
– Precision: By zeroing in on a characteristic symptom, the homeopath can more easily find the correct remedy.
– Applicable to Chronic and Acute Cases: This method is not limited to acute cases but can also be applied to chronic conditions, providing a reliable and repeatable method of repertorisation.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
While this method is effective, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of:
– Misidentifying the Complete Symptom: Not all symptoms in a case will be equally valuable. The key is to identify one that is well-rounded, characteristic, and includes all four components.
– Over-reliance on One Symptom: While focusing on one complete symptom is efficient, it is important not to ignore the overall picture of the patient. Constitutional factors should still be considered.
– Inadequate Case-Taking: Proper case-taking is essential for this method to work. The homeopath must ask the right questions to uncover the most complete symptom.
Conclusion
Repertorisation using one complete symptom offers a powerful yet simple method for prescribing accurately and efficiently. Boenninghausen’s method has stood the test of time, and its relevance continues in modern practice. By focusing on one complete symptom, we can save time, reduce complexity, and improve the precision of our remedy selection.
For homeopaths navigating the demands of a busy practice, this method offers a practical solution while honouring the classical roots of homeopathy.
References
- Allen, T. F. (2004). Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book. B. Jain Publishers.
- RADAR 10 Software.
Author
Dr. Anil Singhal MD(Hom.)
Author: “Boger’s Legacy”
Former Guest Faculty
Bakson Homeopathic Medical College, Greater Noida
Nehru Homeopathic Medical College, New Delhi
Dr. BR Sur Homeopathic Medical College, New Delhi
Former Secretary (Education)
Medical Education & Research Foundation, India.
